As well as plastic, environmentally aware brands are also making clothing from other sustainable materials, such as bamboo and hemp. Supporters of the scheme say it means a reduction in the use of natural resources and the energy used to manufacture raw materials into fabrics.
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Research carried out in 2020 revealed if people carried on disposing of single-use plastics at the current rate, this would have a disastrous effect on the world's oceans: by 2050, they would contain almost 400 million metric tons of plastic if something wasn't done to stem the tide of thoughtless dumping.
People are finally beginning to cut down on plastic waste and support schemes to recycle it into useful, lasting objects. Clothes made from recycled plastic are of high quality and keep on-trend with the latest fashions. There's not much difference between the texture of recycled clothing compared with garments made from raw materials.
Do consumers support recycled clothing?
Research by Clothes Aid reveals that 57% of people support recycled clothing, but 41% don't know much about recycling facilities, or which brands are eco-friendly. However, the charity says unfortunately, some brands are still offering "cheap, fast fashion" to supply a demand from sections of the consumer market.
The challenge is to educate clothing manufacturers and customers about the benefits of recycled clothing - reusing plastics will go towards preserving the planet's natural resources.
While 85% of the British public say they are worried about plastic pollution, the average person is still using 150 plastic water bottles per year. Clothes Aid believes that if more brands choose to reuse or recycle, more consumers will start to support the idea.
Adidas' Parley for the Oceans range
As one of the big players in the fashion and sporting apparel sector, Adidas is a keen supporter of making clothing from recycled plastic. The brand collaborated with Parley for the Oceans to produce a range of recycled plastic sports clothing.
The aim is to persuade top sportspeople to wear the Parley range, in the hope their followers will support the idea too. Plastic waste is being collected from our shorelines and converted into beautiful, high-performance products.
Adidas made its first pair of running shoes from upcycled plastic waste as long ago as 2015. This was when the brand first partnered with Parley for the Oceans, the environmental organisation founded in 2012 by Cyrill Gutsch. Today, the company continues to make all kinds of sportswear in its Parley range.
Which other clothing brands use recycled plastic?
While Adidas was one of the first, there are now plenty of other fashion brands that make clothing from recycled plastic.
Veja, the French fashion brand, has launched its latest B-mesh material for training shoes. The special "bottle-mesh" fabric is manufactured from recycled plastic bottles - it takes three bottles to make each pair of trainers. The fabric is waterproof and breathable, ideal characteristics for footwear.
Sports and leisure brand Girlfriend Collective has a range of sports bras and leggings made from recycled plastic. They make polyester from recycled plastic bottles and nylon from recycled fishing nets that may otherwise be dumped in the ocean.
Ethical clothing company Patagonia created its first fleece made from recycled plastic bottles back in 1993. They have been improving their materials ever since and are a leader in the field of eco-friendly fashions. Other brands and designers all over the world are following their lead.
How is plastic made into clothing?
PET bottles are the most common type of recycled plastic. Once collected, the bottles are sorted, stripped of caps and labels and thoroughly cleaned. They are then melted into small pellets and spun into yarn to make fabrics for clothing.
At the processing factory, they are melted into round white balls. These are crushed and spun into viscose yarn through a shower-like nozzle. The resulting yarns can be used to weave fabrics, that can then be used to make fashionable pieces of clothing. The process uses 30% less energy than garments made from regular polyester.
The high fashion world had embraced the idea of recycled plastic clothing. People attending New York Fashion Week were able to purchase a limited-edition designer T-shirt made from recycled plastic at a vending machine. The cost of one T-shirt was simple - one plastic bottle. What a great way to get more people to recycle!
Today, all sorts of clothing is made from recycled plastic bottles including T-shirts, jackets, exercise clothing, soft fleeces, hats and shawls.
Responsible use of plastics
As a responsible business, Solent Plastics supports preserving the environment for future generations. We promote recycling and the use of plastic products that will last a lifetime.
Our Euronorm ECO recycled plastic containers are made from recycled polypropylene. We also offer recycling waste bins to help schools, businesses and individuals with their own recycling initiatives.